1. Measure Your Household’s Daily Water Demand to Judge Treatment Capacity
A common misunderstanding is to assume that simply having a water conditioner automatically handles all issues related to iron and hardness. However, many household systems currently in use may not keep up because they lack sufficient capacity for daily water consumption. Treatment capacity is often expressed in grains, representing the total amount of hardness and iron the system can remove before regeneration is needed.
In Navajo County, groundwater sampling from the 220NAVJ aquifer shows hardness levels with a median of 2.935 mg/L, detected consistently across 40 samples from 14 wells. While none of these results exceed federal safety thresholds, the presence of hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium can still cause scale buildup and staining over time. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the grain capacity needed—up to 32,000 grains in some available systems—to ensure treatment matches your household's daily water use.
2. Record Key Information Before Seeking Treatment Guidance
Before contacting any water treatment resource, write down the volume of water your household consumes daily (in gallons), your current treatment system’s capacity and performance details, and any observed issues such as staining, reduced water flow, or taste changes. This information helps in assessing whether your current system is undersized or whether increased capacity equipment is necessary.
3. Understand the Scope and Limits of Regional Water Sampling Data
The U.S. Geological Survey data for Navajo County’s 220NAVJ aquifer is based on tests of 14 wells, sampled 40 times between 2010 and 2019, at depths ranging from 554 to 3,737 feet. These samples provide a reliable regional picture of hardness and iron presence but do not reflect your specific well or household water supply. Variations can occur due to well depth, location, and seasonal influences. Therefore, while this regional data offers valuable context, only a direct laboratory test of your water can specify your home's actual conditions.
4. Additional Considerations for Larger Commercial or Industrial Operations
Although this guide is intended for household users, commercial or industrial water users in Navajo County must consider factors such as higher water volume demands, process sensitivity to iron and hardness, and regulatory compliance. These operators typically require more extensive testing and customized treatment solutions beyond residential capacities and features.
5. Applying Regional Median and Range Values to Your Home Water
The median hardness of 2.935 mg/L and range from 1.23 to 163.0 mg/L observed in the Navajo County aquifer indicate that while many wells have low hardness, some exhibit significantly higher levels. If your household experiences symptoms related to hard water or iron—such as mineral staining or scale buildup—this suggests that your water falls closer to the upper range of these values. Using this regional insight helps homeowners recognize when their current system may be insufficient and consider a higher-capacity treatment solution.
For effective iron and hardness management, the C-Series Iron + Hard Water (Well) System offers a treatment capacity of 32,000 grains, designed to maintain performance in households with moderate to high water demand.
Next Step: Test Your Household Water to Determine Treatment Needs
The single most important action is to arrange for a certified laboratory analysis of your household water. The test should quantify iron and hardness concentrations specifically for your supply. This result will confirm whether your existing equipment is adequate or if the enhanced capacity of a system like the C-Series Iron + Hard Water (Well) System is necessary to keep your water treatment effective and your household water quality at its best.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-08-23. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 220NAVJ aquifer (Navajo County): 40 results from 14 wells, median 2.935 mg/L, range 1.23-163.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold